Marquee game
Brennan vs. Austin Vandegrift, 2 p.m. Saturday at Comalander Stadium: If you enjoy teams that put a premium on playing stout defense, then this Class 6A Division II third-round game could be a perfect post-Christmas gift.
Brennan (10-1) is making its deepest playoff push since 2013, when it was led by quarterback Da’Shawn Key, defensive end Derick Roberson, linebacker Grant Watanabe and defensive back Jaelan Collier and advanced to the UIL Class 4A (now 5A) state final before falling to Denton Guyer 31-14.
The Bears have made their current venture by allowing a combined three points in wins over Del Rio (48-0) in bidistrict and Edinburg Vela (28-3) in the second round. They’ve yielded only 209 yards in those two encounters.
Vandegrift (9-2) is coming off a hard-fought 14-7 win over Roosevelt in which it allowed the Rough Riders only 190 yards of offense.

Notable game
Steele vs. Laredo United South, 1 p.m. Saturday at Corpus Christi’s Buccaneer Stadium: The Knights seek their second trip to a regional final in four seasons under coach David Saenz when they face Laredo United South.
Steele (8-3) reached this stage by blasting Madison (50-3) in bidistrict and holding off Round Rock (26-19 in overtime) in the second round.
Laredo United South (5-3), like Steele, prevailed in overtime a week ago, fending off Mission 42-41. The Panthers deflected a pass on a two-point conversion attempt in the end zone to prevail. They advanced in the first round when Harlan forfeited because of COVID-19 concerns.

Under the radar games
Southwest vs. Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial, 2 p.m. Saturday at Heroes Stadium: Another week, another Southwest ISD team tries to ground the Eagles.
Southwest has the task this time. The Dragons (6-6) have won six in a row after starting 0-6, the latest triumph being a 32-15 decision vs. Weslaco East in a Class 5A Division I second-round contest. A big part to the team’s winning streak has been improved play on defense.
The Dragons allowed 40 points twice and 30 points once in their first six games. They’ve allowed more than 15 points only once since.
Veterans Memorial (11-0), a regional finalist a year ago, is led quarterback Carter Senterfitt, who paces an attack that has scored at least 50 points five times, 60 points twice and 40 points on two other occasions. The Eagles topped Southwest Legacy 53-14 a week ago.

Stevens vs. Austin Westlake, 1 p.m. Saturday at Bastrop’s Memorial Stadium: The Falcons rallied from a two-touchdown deficit in the fourth quarter to clip Harlingen 28-21 last week in a Class 6A Division I second-round affair. They look to carry over the momentum when they become the next area team to try to take down Austin Westlake (10-0).
Quarterback K.K. Brashears was an integral part of the comeback, but now face a stingy Westlake defense that a year ago toppled Smithson Valley 62-3.

Tale of the tape
Brennan quarterback Ashton Dubose vs. Vandegrift linebacker Austin Skoglund: Just a sophomore, Dubose has played well beyond his years. He has thrown for more than 1,900 yards and 29 TDs and rushed for nearly 800 yards and 11 more scores to headline an attack that is averaging 34.3 points per game and has thrown and rushed for more than 2,000 yards this year.
Skoglund, a senior, has 111 tackles — 60 solo and 14 for loss — and four sacks this season. He had 11 tackles (nine solo) and came up with a fourth-down stop with a little more than two minutes left to play to squash Roosevelt’s last true scoring threat.

terrence@terrencesports.com
Twitter: @sa_terrence1